Last updated: 1/28/2014
1900 Nolana Avenue
McAllen, TX 78504
Tuesday - Wednesday, Friday - Saturday
9 AM - 5 PM
Adults: $7
Seniors (over 55): $5
IMAS Members: free
Students (): $5
Children (4-12): $4
Children 0 to 3: Free
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Joseph Bravo
phone: 956-682-1564 x104
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Mary Garza
phone: 956-682-1564 x134
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Angela Maxwell
phone: 956-682-1564 x111
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Michelle Rowe
phone: 956-682-1564 x116
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Jo Ann Finn
phone: 956-682-1564 x114
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Maria Elena Macias
phone: 956-682-1564 x107
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Ron Caceres
phone: 956-682-1564 x102
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Aleida Garcia
phone: 956-682-1564 x124
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Jo Fisher
phone: 956-682-1564 x128
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Susan Zwerling
phone: 956-682-1564 x150
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The International Museum of Art & Science, a Smithsonian Affiliated and accredited by the American Alliance of Museums is the premiere art and science museum of South Texas.
IMAS contains two buildings, and has over 50,000 square feet of exhibit space. Its galleries host a number of revolving art and science exhibits each year. The museum provides a unique opportunity for visitors to participate in hands-on science exhibits and to learn original works of art while engaging the creative mind.
IMAS is the first organization in Texas to acquire Science On a Sphere (S.O.S.), a state-of-the-art exhibition developed by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association (NOAA). The Museum also includes a Science Lab and Art Studio which perform a variety of activities for children of all ages that change on a weekly basis.
Outdoors, guests will enjoy Rioscape, an interactive science play pavilion where children can learn about energy, sound waves and the Rio Grande river, as it flows from the Colorado Rockies to the Gulf of Mexico. Guests will also find a cafe and a gift shop.
The Museum is located at the corner of Bicentennial and Nolana Avenue in McAllen. IMAS offers $1 general admission every Thursday from 4:00p.m. to 8:00 p.m. For more information call (956) 682-0123 or visit http://www.imasonline.org.
The mission of the International Museum of Art and Science is to promote a deeper appreciation of the arts and sciences through its exhibitions, cultural events and educational programs; and to preserve, expand and display its permanent art and science collections.
The Museum was developed through the efforts of the McAllen Junior League to increase the quality of life for the citizens of the Rio Grande Valley, and to provide activities in the arts and sciences that are meaningful, educational, and available to the public. The Museum was dedicated and formally opened to the public on October 26, 1969. On July 4, 1976, a new building was constructed and completed as a Bicentennial Project, and the Museum moved to 1900 Nolana, where it currently resides.
IMAS seeks to serves the community of the Lower Rio Grande Valley by providing educational exhibitions and programs on both the arts and the sciences. It receives most of its funding from individuals and businesses in the community and from the City of McAllen. A new building expansion was constructed and completed in 2001.
The Permanent Collection at the International Museum of Art & Science has served to educate the curious, enrich the intellects, and exemplify the interests and generosity of the community of the Rio Grande Valley since its historic beginning more than forty-five years ago. Objects from the Permanent Collection represent the dedication that is characteristic of the International Museum of Art & Science and its mission to the community.
The exhibition includes a selection from the Caton Collection of European paintings from the 16th to the 19th Century donated by Dr. and Mrs. McKee Caton.
The Watland Collection is represented with a Danish Landscape by P.F. Lund, and a group of exquisite Japanese prints.
Selections of Modern Art, including examples of Abstract Expressionism and Op-Art, illustrate a legacy beginning with donations by Charles and Dorothy Clark and continued by their son Kirk Clark.
Contributions, in the form of a generous donation by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Schultz, of lithographs by Pablo Picasso, the Suite of Imaginary Portraits, serve to highlight and accent the exhibit.
Acquisitions from the Collection of Glen Bruner, Jr. include prints from a diversity of styles such as Pop, Abstract, and Minimalism. The Collection poses an international range of pieces donated to IMAS by many supporters to the museum as well as a taste of art collected from regional artists from the Rio Grande Valley and Northern Tamaulipas, Mexico.
The museum's geological collection and the Folk Art represent cultures from Mexico, Africa, and Asia.
IMAS offers classes and programs for children and adults throughout the year.
Programs for Adults: Recent adult classes have encouraged watercolor painting, printmaking, political cartooning, drawing and sketching with pencil and mosaics.
Programs for Children: The summer classes of Operation Imagination address the visual and literary arts, science and culture. Children will experience a multitude of activities, experiments and opportunities as they draw inspiration from the beauty of our exhibits and displays. This is truly a hands-on learning environment and our well-trained staff is thoughtful and friendly. Each class has a maximum of 25 students and staff members supervise the classroom and aid in the child?s explorations and creations.
Programs for Families: IMAS invites children and families to visit the Art Studio and the Science Lab each week to engage in the weekly interactive activities. IMAS hosts special educational events and festivals at various times throughout the year, including their annual Lunar New Year, World Water Day, Stars & Skies Party, Day of the Dead Festival, and Christmas Tree Forest.
The Museum's audience is bi-cultural, with citizens of all ages. IMAS is located on the border with Mexico in Hidalgo County.
According to the US Census Bureau, the population of Hidalgo County in 2006 was estimated at 700,634 with a population increase of nearly 23% from April 1, 2006 to July 1, 2006. In 2005, over one-third of this population was under age 18, with 89.4% of the total population being of Hispanic or Latino origin.
As of 2000, the census report also indicates that 50.5% of the people over age 25 earned a high school diploma, with 12% over the age of 25 having earned a bachelors degree or higher.
In 2004, the median household income was $23,675 with 30.5% living below the poverty level. In 1999, the per capita money income was $9,899. Both sides of the border of Texas and Mexico, in an area of approximately 25 towns within five counties take the opportunity to use the International Museum of Art & Science.
During the fiscal year of 2005-2006, IMAS reached approximately 80,000 people, of which over 50,000 were provided programming via educational and outreach programs, and over 12,000 via the museum's school tour program. Nearly half of the Museum's visitors are schoolchildren.
During the months of October through March, retired citizens from the northern United States and Canada come to this area seeking warmth from cold winters. The population increases 150,000 in McAllen alone. These part-time citizens of the Rio Grande Valley value the opportunity educationally and culturally that IMAS offers. This migration of "Winter Texans" encourages permanent residency here for many.
McAllen is ranked #1 in Job Growth, #8 in Income Growth, and #10 in Cost of Living in a survey of the top metropolitan areas in America (2003).
Access: Staff Only
Appointment required: Yes
A publication on the permanent collection is Changing Faces, Mexican Masks in Transition, by Lori Jacobson and Donald E. Fritz., MIM issues 4 quarterly newsletters a year and produces an annual report. MIM produces catalogues only for certain funded exhibitions. MIM produces Gallery Guides for exhibitions whose organizers do not provide one. A publication on the permanent collection is Changing Faces, Mexican Masks in Transition, by Lori Jacobson and Donald E. Fritz.
Come and celebrate your child’s next birthday with IMAS. Our wonderful and unique atmosphere will make your child’s special day one of discovery, creativity and or course fun!
IMAS contains a beautiful selection of gallery spaces that can serve as a great ambiance for your next event. The Museum has hosted various types of events, ranging from Weddings Receptions, Business meetings/banquets, Awards ceremonies/banquets, Recitals, Baby/bridal shower,s Baptisms and Children’s Birthday Parties.
Be sure to visit the IMAS Gift Shop on your next visit to explore an affordable display of art and science items for men, women and children alike. Our unique collection of rocks and minerals, such as geodes and crystals will excite the geologists in you; and our variety of art and science kits will inspire creativity and ingenuity.
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The Gift Shop also contains a vibrant collection of jewelry from local artisans and occasional promotional items from traveling exhibits. Also, don’t forget to pick up an IMAS T-shirt, teddy bear or coffee mug on your way out
Gift Shop
Special Event Rental
Restaurant
Group Tours
Wheelchair Accessible
Parking
Restrooms
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